Combination paddle beck



May 9, 1967 T. E. DAVIS {v 3,318,120

COMBINATION PADDLE BECK Filed Nov. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR .Z /mma Zfiq ns ATTORNEYS May 9, 1967 T. E. DAVIS COMBINATION PADDLE BECK Filed Nov. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8e I n 62 (I a /02 Ma y I 0 I22 I I INVENTOR M4 7150/ 1/25 Z .F/QV/ ATTORNEKS 'ment.

United States Patent 3,318,120 COMBINATION PADDLE BECK Thomas E. Davis, Burlington, N.C., assignor to Burlington Engineering Sales Company, Inc., Graham, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Nov. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 409,443 2 Claims. (Cl. 68135) This invention relates to apparatus for treating textiles and more particularly to apparatus for dyeing fabrics and the like. The dyeing of fabrics or the like is usually carried out by passing the fabric through a liquid dye bath and to secure the proper intensity or depth of color it is usually necessary to hold or soak the fabric in the dye bath for a period of time. Heretofore, this has been accomplished in apparatus having component parts, the nature of which is dependent to a large extent on the form of the fabric being dyed. Thus when the fabric is in rope form, conventional dye becks are provided which are equipped generally with means to fold or pile the fabric in loose folds in the dye beck between the point where the fabric enters and the point where the fabric leaves the dye beck so that the fabric is subjected to the action of the dye liquors for a long period of time regardless of the speed of entrance or withdrawal. Generally the conventional means incorporated in dye becks to accomplish this operation is a driven reel, usually an ovate or similarly shaped reel, and an idler reel, with the reels being placed above the bottom of the dye beck and in offset relation both vertically and transversely of the dye beck.

When, however, the fabric is in a form other than rope,

for instance, in bags or batches, the apparatus employed is generally provided with a paddle means rather than a plaiting mechanism, as described above. Conventional paddle means generally include a paddle per se extending between the walls of the dyeing machine and operatively connected tov an electric reversing motor.

Heretofore, dyers have been faced with the problem of providing both types of dyeing equipment, i.e. machinery adaptable to effectively dye fabric in rope form and separate machinery adaptable to dye fabric in bag or batch form. While the shell of both types of machinery often is quite similar and can be the same, nevertheless, because the internal components are vastly different, owing to the function they perform, with respect to the form' of the fabric being dyed, it is not possible to use the same piece of equipment to dye both forms of fabric.

Often because the capital expenditures necessary to equip a plant with both types of machinery are excessively high, dye processors generally confine their activities to one or the other operation. In situations where dye processors do in fact equip their plants with both types of machinery, obviously the additional cost will be reflected in increased costs for dyeing fabric. In addition to capital expenditures for the equipment, increased costs of dyeing operations are also occasioned by the necessity of providing floor space for both types of machinery. Thus significant outlays of monies are necessary in providing adequate plant sites to handle both types of equip- Obviously means to reduce the cost not only of the machinery itself, but also the cost of providing adequate plant area would be favorably received by the industry. It has now been found that these high capital expenditures can be significantly reduced by utilizing apparatus made in accordance with the instant invention.

It is'therefore a principal object of the instant invention to provide a dyeing machine that can effectively handle fabric whether it be in rope or bag form.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide dyeing apparatus which assures the production of dyed goods of a uniformly high quality with simplicity and economy regardless of the form of the fabric being dyed.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a dyeing machine which includes an elongated chamber having end walls, these being positioned within the chamber and extending between the end walls a drive reel, an idler reel and a paddle, the drive reel and the idler reel being selectively actuated and being placed above the bottom of the chamber and in offset relation, both vertically and transversely of the chamber, the paddle being selectively actuated to circulate the dye liquor and material being dyed within the chamber and being adaptable to be reversed, the paddle being offset vertically and transversely from both the drive and idler reels, and drive means operatively and selectively connected to said drive reel and said paddle, thereby providing a unitary piece of equipment adaptable to dye fabric in either rope or batch form.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide dyeing apparatus which is compactly arranged permitting a saving in manufacturing, transportation, installation and maintenance cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention partially cut away to show interior details of construction; and

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevation showing the drive means associated with the invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally the paddle dye heck of the instant invention, the housing of which is indicated generally at 12 and which comprises a pair of end walls 14 and 16, fixedly attached to a front wall 18, a rear wall 20, a bottom wall 22 and a dome-like top 24.

It should be recognized, at the outset, that any convenient dye beck housing can be provided, and the following description is merely illustrative of one of the many specific types of tanks that can be successfully utilized in combination with the inventive concepts of the instant invention.

Each of the end walls 14 and 16 are essentially the same and a description of one will suffice. End wall 14, for instance, comprises an upper section or splash side 26 and a lower section 28. Disposed on the end wall 14 intermediate the dome-like top 24 and the bottom wall 22 are a pair of vertically spaced longitudinally extending horizontal rails 30 and 32. Positioned upwardly away from upper rail 30 are a plurality of horizontally spaced struts 34 secured to the sides of the dome-like top 24. Depending from lower rail 32 and secured to the lower section 28 of side wall 14 are a plurality of horizontally spaced stiffeners 36. The splash side 26 is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced vertically extending braces 38 in termediate the front and rear of the paddle dye beck housing.

The bottom wall 22 comprises a curved paddle dye beck bottom which curves forwardly and upwardly to provide a front wall 18 while it curves rearwardly and upwardly to provide a rear wall 20. The bottom wall is secured along its sides to the end walls 14 and 16 to define with the latter a liquid-tight tub or tank for dye liquid or the like. Transversely disposed intermediate the bottom wall 22 and the front wall 18 are a pair of bottom stiifeners 40 provided to support the liquid-tight tub. The outer ends of the stifleners are secured to the lower section 28 of the end walls 14 and 16, the inner ends being secured to a downspout described more fully hereinafter.

The dome-like top 24 is secured along its longitudinal lower edges to upper rail 30 by any convenient means. Thus, the roof 24 comprises end walls 42 and 44, rear wall 46, front wall 48, and top 50 which terminates in an end extension 52.

Provided at the forward and rearward wall-s, adjacent the splash side 26 for easy communication within the paddle dye beck of this invention, is a substantially rectangular windowed door and associated suitable pulleys and counterweights (not shown) for the operation thereof.

The paddle dye beck is provided with a U-s-haped downspout 54 extending from the front and rear walls downwardly beneath the bottom wall 22 of the tank. The downspout is open at the bottom and drains beneath the tub. A transversely disposed channel trough 56, provided with a plurality of perforations 58, in fluid communication wit-h the bottom of the dye beck tank. At least one end of the channel trough 56 is in fluid communication with a vertically disposed dump box 60 disposed externally of said paddle dye beck along the end walls 14 and/ or 16.

The dump box 60 is in communication with a dump valve 62 at the lower end thereof, said dump valve being operatively connected to a dump valve handle 64 adjacent the forward wall of the paddle dye beck through an appropriate operating linkage such as the bell crank linkage 66 and the valve rod 68. The handle 64 operates the bell crank linkage 66 to force the rod 68 operat-ively connected thereto in an upward direction to unseat the dump valve 6 2. Adjacent the front wall 118 of the paddle dye beck extending vertically downwardly adjacent the bottom wall 22 is a removable perforated b-aflle plate 70 defining with the front wall 18 a chamber 72 within the tank. Leading to chamber 72 adjacent the end walls 14 and 16 are a pair of water inlet lines 74 as well as a pair of steam lines 76. Steam lines 76 extend downwardly and transversely through the chamber 72 substantially the width of the paddle dye beck. Steam lines 76 are preferably perforated to distribute steam through the chamber thereby uniformly heating the water and dyestuff entering through conduits 74. The pair of water inlets 74 can be connected to conventional pump means for pumping dye liquid into the tank prior to the starting of the dyeing cycle. The pumping system includes the usual auxiliary equipment such as valves, sight gauges, storage tanks and the like. If desired, the steam lines can be made responsive to the temperature of the dye liquor within the tank by conventional means.

Pairs of spaced support brackets 78 and 80 are secured on the top of longitudinally extending horizontal lower rail 32 adjacent the rear of the paddle beck and a shaft 82 is rotatably mounted in journals 84 and 86 carried by the brackets 78 and 80, respectively. A suitable feeding and plaiting mechanism such as the ovate drive reel 88 having side flanges 90 and 92 is fixed on the shaft 82 within the paddle dye beck above the rear end of the tank. A variable speed reversing electric motor 94 is mounted on a bracket 96 secured to the end wall 14 and drives a sprocket 98, operatively engageable with clutch means 100, said sprocket being fixed on the shaft 82 externally of the wall 14 through a speed reducer 102 and chain 104.

An octagonal guide reel 106 is disposed in horizontal alignment and is rotatably supported on shaft 108 which at its outer ends is journalled in bearings 110 attached to support members 112 and 114 which are in turn mounted externally of the paddle dye beck on top of longitudinally extending rail 32 adjacent the forward end of the paddle dye beck.

Journalled in the support members 112 and 114 at the opposite ends thereof is a transverse bar 116 carrying guide pins 118 which are removably mounted at spaced intervals thereon, thereby providing guide and balloon means for the material being dyed when such is in rope form.

Conventional take-off reel (not shown) is provided with paddle dye beck for removal of dyed fabric.

A shaft 120 is rotatably mounted in bearings 122 secured on the top of longitudinally extending horizontal rail .32 adjacent the midpoint between the forward and rearward ends of the paddle dye beck. A suitable agitating mechanism such as paddle 124 having side flanges 126 is fixed on the shaft 120 within the paddle dye beck. The variable speed reversing electric motor 94 drives a sprocket 128, operatively engageable with clutch means 130, said sprocket being fixed on the shaft 120 externally of the wall 14, through speed reducer 102 and chain 132.

By the above construction the paddle wheel can rotate in a first direction and then in a second direction when the motor is reversed. This causes the dye liquor in the paddle dye beck to circulate, insuring even dyeing when the fabric being dyed is introduced therein in bags or batches.

In operation the clutch mechanism is actuated to engage the sprocket 98 thereby employing the paddle dye beck assembly as a conventional dye beck suitable for dyeing a fabric in rope form. Water and dye are introduced into the dye beck through chamber 72 while simultaneously introducing steam therein through conduits 76 to heat the dye liquor.

The motor 94 is energized driving reel 88. The drive reel 88 will serve to pull a piece of material up over the octagonal idler reel 106 and then up over itself after which the piece of material is dropped down into the rear position of the paddle dye beck bottom 22 in folds. The material, after it has been dyed, can be removed and taken up on a take-off reel (not shown).

When it is desired to dye material in a form other than rope, say in bags or batches, the clutch mechanism 130 is disengaged from sprocket 98 and is caused to be engaged with sprocket 128 on shaft 120. The material being dyed is inserted in the paddle dye beck and the motor is energized driving the paddle. Periodically the motor is reversed, thus reversing the direction of the paddle 124 causing circulation of the dye liquor to insure more uniform distribution of the dye and consequently more uniform dyeing results. When used in this fashion, the paddle dye heck of this invention is advantageously adaptable for dyeing stockings and other knit or woven fabrics.

It will now be obvious to those skilled in the art that the paddle dye beck heretofore described is susceptible to modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. The specific embodiment described is merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention and to disclose a structure which has fully and effectively accomplished the objects and advantages of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiment is not to be limited to the exact construction and operation shown and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: j

1. Apparatus for treating textiles comprising a vessel having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a forward wall and end walls adapted to contain a treating fluid, a first means to convey said textile in rope form through said liquid comprising a drive reel and an idler reel, said drive reel mounted on a drive reel shaft extending between said end walls and positioned between said end walls adjacent said rear Wall, said idler reel positioned between said end walls adjacent said forward wall and a second means to convey said textile in batch form through said liquid comprising a paddle, said paddle mounted on a paddle shaft extending between said end walls and positioned between said end Walls intermediate said drive reel and said idler reel and drive means to drive said first and second textile conveying means, said drive means including first clutch means connected to said drive reel shaft, second clutch means connected to said paddle shaft and motor means operatively and selectively disengageably connected to said drive reel shaft and said paddle shaft through said first and second clutch means to convert said apparatus from means to treat said textile in rope form to means to treat textile in batch form.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive reel and said idler reel are vertically offset within said vessel from each other and said paddle is vertically offset from both said drive reel and said idler reel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Jensen 68-135 Hinnekens 68-177 X Jefferies 68-l35 Heintzelman 68-177 Bell et a1 68177 X IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TREATING TEXTILES COMPRISING A VESSEL HAVING A BOTTOM WALL, A REAR WALL, A FORWARD WALL AND END WALLS ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A TREATING FLUID, A FIRST MEANS TO CONVEY SAID TEXTILE IN ROPE FORM THROUGH SAID LIQUID COMPRISING A DRIVE REEL AND AN IDLER REEL, SAID DRIVE REEL MOUNTED ON A DRIVE REEL SHAFT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END WALLS AND POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID END WALLS ADJACENT SAID REAR WALL, SAID IDLER REEL POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID END WALLS ADJACENT SAID FORWARD WALL AND A SECOND MEANS TO CONVEY SAID TEXTILE IN BATCH FORM THROUGH SAID LIQUID COMPRISING A PADDLE, SAID PADDLE MOUNTED ON A PADDLE SHAFT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END WALLS AND POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID END WALLS INTERMEDIATE SAID DRIVE REEL AND SAID IDLER REEL AND DRIVE MEANS TO DRIVE SAID FIRST AND SECOND TEXTILE CONVEYING MEANS, SAID DRIVE MEANS INCLUDING FIRST CLUTCH MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE REEL SHAFT, SECOND CLUTCH MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PADDLE SHAFT AND MOTOR MEANS OPERATIVELY AND SELECTIVELY DISENGAGEABLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE REEL SHAFT AND SAID PADDLE SHAFT THROUGH SAID FIRST 